Eight students have been arrested and three others indicted seven months after Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) student Adam Oakes died of alcohol poisoning at a fraternity party.
Oakes died after he was blindfolded and forced to drink alcohol at an off-campus Delta Chi party in February. The Richmond university expelled the fraternity soon after.
Seven of the eight accused were enrolled for the fall semester. All eight students face charges of unlawful hazing while three face an additional charge of furnishing alcohol to a minor. The students are expected to turn themselves in within the next few days, Richmond police stated.
“VCU continues to mourn the tragic death of Adam Oakes and is grateful to the Richmond Police Department for its investigation,” spokesperson Laura Rossacher said in a statement. Last month, the school announced an alcohol ban at Greek life events to “promote a safe and welcoming fraternity and sorority life culture for all.”
Family Reaction
The Oakes family expressed relief at the news. In a Facebook post, the family urged students to stop hazing on campus so that other families do not have to endure a similar experience.
“The past 7 months have been agonizing,” the family wrote on Facebook. “This is the first time these young men have been held accountable for their historically toxic and destructive traditions, manipulation of the VCU disciplinary systems, and for Adam’s death.”
“Our entire family has faith in the judicial system and we appreciate the driving efforts for justice. To the young men charged, we hope you learn from your criminal acts and never, ever forget what you and Delta Chi did to our sweet boy, Adam Oakes,” the post said.
A GoFundMe campaign in support of the Oakes family has raised $47,000 so far.